KABUL: At least seven people were killed in a suicide bombing on Monday near a gathering of senior clerics in Kabul, roughly one hour after the group proclaimed such attacks a sin, police said.

The blast near universities and a police academy is the latest demonstration of the militants’ chilling ability to carry out attacks in the heart of Kabul.

The bomber detonated explosives at about 11.30am at the gates of Kabul’s polytechnic var­sity, officials said. Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish confirmed it was a suicide attack.

“According to initial information, seven people including a policeman have been killed. Nine others including two policemenhave been injured,” police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban issued a statement on Twitter saying its fighters had “nothing to do” with the bombing.

Local media said the clerics had gathered at the Loya Jirga tent for the Ulema Council meeting.

An hour before the attack, they issued a fatwa against the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, where the Taliban and other militant groups have been fighting an insurgency agai­nst government forces. The Ulema Council — seen by the militants as having some links to the government — termed suicide atta­cks and explosions “haram”. “Executing, financing and supporting such acts are against Sharia law,” they said.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2018